Meerabai

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Meerabai" by Shreekrushna Lal, based on the provided pages:

The book "Meerabai" by Dr. Shreekrushna Lal, a professor at Banaras Hindu University, published by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, is a detailed study of the life and poetry of the renowned saint-poetess Meerabai. This is the second edition of the book, indicating its popularity and significance.

The work is divided into two main parts:

Part 1: Biography (Jeevan Charit)

• Introduction to the Bhakti Era and Meerabai's Place: The book positions Meerabai within the rich devotional (Bhakti) period of Indian history, spanning the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. It highlights this era as a time of great spiritual and cultural flourishing, marked by the rise of prominent saints and poets like Kabir, Dadu, Nanak, Raidas, and Narsi Mehta. Meerabai is presented as a central figure who contributed significantly to this movement.
• Historical Context of Rajasthan: The author emphasizes the stark contrast between the warrior culture of Rajputana, characterized by martial valor and bravery, and the burgeoning devotional sentiment spreading from South India to North India. Rajasthan, during Meerabai's time, was deeply immersed in a martial tradition where swords and blood were celebrated.
• Meerabai's Emergence in a Martial Society: Despite being born into a Rajput royal family (daughter of Ratansingh, grandson of Rao Duda of Merta, and married into the Sisodia dynasty of Mewar as the daughter-in-law of Rana Sanga), Meerabai defied the prevailing martial ethos. She embraced intense devotion to Lord Krishna, particularly in the form of Giridhar Gopal, transcending societal expectations and gender roles of her time.
• Analyzing Evidence: Dr. Lal critically examines the available historical evidence, including internal evidence from Meerabai's own poems (Antahsakshya) and external sources like the works of Nabha Das, Hariram Vyas, and the "Chaurasi Vaishnavon ki Varta" (Tales of 84 Vaishnavas). He meticulously analyzes the authenticity of various poems attributed to Meerabai, often questioning the validity of those that seem to narrate sensational events or contradict established historical facts. He discusses the possibility of many popular songs being misattributed to her over time.
• Dating Meerabai: A significant portion of the biography is dedicated to establishing a timeline for Meerabai's life. The author discusses various scholarly opinions on her birth and death dates, ultimately concluding that her birth likely occurred between 1556-1560 AD and her death around 1630 AD. He debunks earlier theories that placed her marriage to Rana Kumbha or linked her to events much earlier than her probable lifespan.
• Family and Lineage: The book details Meerabai's ancestry, tracing her lineage back to Rao Jodha of Marwar and her father, Ratan Singh. It highlights the martial prowess of her paternal and maternal families.
• Marital Life and Widowhood: Meerabai was married to Prince Bhojraj, son of Rana Sanga of Mewar, around 1516 AD. However, her married life was tragically short, as Bhojraj passed away around 1523 AD, leaving Meerabai a widow at a young age (around 18 years old). This early widowhood significantly shaped her life and intensified her devotion.
• Social and Familial Conflicts: The book discusses the immense societal and familial opposition Meerabai faced due to her unwavering devotion and her association with saints and ascetics. Her defiance of purdah (veiling) and her open engagement in devotional activities led to persecution, including attempts to poison her. The author points to Rana Vikramaditya (or his minister Bijavargi) as a likely source of her troubles.
• Leaving Mewar and Religious Influences: Driven by persecution and seeking a life of pure devotion, Meerabai eventually left Mewar around 1560 AD. She spent time in Merta, her ancestral home, and then journeyed to Vrindavan, the land of Lord Krishna's divine plays. In Vrindavan, she was influenced by the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition, particularly the teachings of figures like Rupa Goswami and Jiva Goswami, further deepening her devotion. Later, she moved to Dwarka, where she is believed to have spent her final years.
• The "Avatar" Theory: The book explores the idea of Meerabai being an avatar of a Vrindavan gopi, a concept that gained popularity due to her intense devotion and spiritual realization. This is discussed as a literary and spiritual interpretation rather than a literal historical fact.

Part 2: Critiques and Analysis (Aalochana)

• Meerabai's Compositions: Dr. Lal analyzes Meerabai's poetic works, discussing various collections and attributions. He notes that while many poems are attributed to her, the authenticity of many is questionable. He highlights the "futoor" (miscellaneous) poems as being the most significant and authentic, reflecting her direct emotional experiences. He also discusses her potential connection to "Geet Govind ki Teeka" and "Narsi ji ka Mahero," though with reservations about their direct attribution.
• Meerabai in the Bhakti Era: The author situates Meerabai's poetry within the broader context of the Bhakti movement, explaining its origins and development. He contrasts her style and approach with other major Bhakti poets like Kabir, Surdas, and Tulsidas.
• Theological and Philosophical Underpinnings: The book delves into the philosophical aspects of Meerabai's devotion, particularly her concept of "Madhurya Bhava" (sweetness of love), akin to Radha's love for Krishna. The author explains the concept of "Dvaitaadvaita" (dualistic non-dualism) in relation to Meerabai's understanding of the relationship between the devotee and the divine.
• Poetic Art and Style: Dr. Lal discusses Meerabai's unique poetic style, characterized by its simplicity, directness, spontaneity, and emotional intensity. Her language, often a blend of Rajasthani and Braj Bhasha, is praised for its natural flow and lack of artificial ornamentation. Her verses are seen as pure expressions of her inner feelings, unburdened by scholarly conventions or poetic embellishments.
• "Prem Sadhana" (Love as Sadhana): A key theme is Meerabai's "Prem Sadhana," where love for Krishna is not just an emotion but a lifelong spiritual practice. This love is characterized by deep yearning, separation (viraha), and a profound sense of surrender.
• Comparison with other Devotees: The book compares Meerabai's devotional path and poetic expression with other prominent Bhakti saints, including Kabir's gnomic style, Tulsidas's emphasis on dharma and duty, and Surdas's depiction of Krishna's leelas. Meerabai is noted for her singular focus on her personal relationship with Krishna and her unique internal experience of love and separation.
• The Nature of Her Love: The author emphasizes that Meerabai's love for Krishna was not mere infatuation but a profound spiritual discipline, a "chiranjeevi" (eternal) love. Her devotion was characterized by utter self-surrender, where she saw herself as a servant and beloved of her Lord.

In essence, Dr. Shreekrushna Lal's "Meerabai" offers a scholarly and insightful exploration of the life, works, and devotional journey of this extraordinary poet-saint. It meticulously analyzes historical records, poetic authenticity, and the socio-religious milieu, presenting a nuanced portrait of Meerabai as a pivotal figure in Indian devotional literature and spirituality.